USA Basketball Junior National Team Minicamp Recap
- Matt Babcock
- 20 hours ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 13 hours ago
At Babcock Hoops, our primary objectives are to provide in-depth NBA Draft coverage and conduct thorough evaluations of players at all levels. While our scouting typically focuses on prospects nearing draft eligibility, identifying and tracking emerging talent starts early.
One of the most significant checkpoints in that process is the USA Basketball Junior National Team Minicamp, where many of the nation’s top young players gather each fall in Colorado Springs to compete, develop, and measure themselves against elite competition.
This year’s minicamp (October 10–12) at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center once again brought together standout players from the classes of 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029.
Over three days of drills, skill work, and scrimmages, prospects showcased their abilities while top evaluators from around the basketball world took note.
Top Standouts and Takeaways
Below are notes on several standout players from each class:
Class of 2026
Cameron Williams | St. Mary’s HS (Phoenix, Arizona)
Height/Position: 6'10", Forward/Center
Notes: Fluid, active big man with the potential to become an elite and impactful defender. While still a work in progress offensively, he’s shown flashes of developing skill, touch, and the ability to eventually stretch the floor. Reminds me a bit of a young Jaren Jackson Jr.
Anthony Thompson | Western Reserve Academy (Lebanon, Ohio)
Height/Position: 6'6", Forward
Notes: Listed as a 6’6” guard, but I view him more as a versatile, skilled forward with size (he’s definitely bigger than his listed height). He’s got terrific length and a big wingspan, impressive offensive footwork, and an improving feel. He continues to make noticeable strides each time I see him.
Bryson Howard | Heritage High School (Frisco, Texas)
Height/Position: 6'5", Guard/Forward
Notes: At 6’5”, Bryson Howard is a lefty wing with a well-balanced skill set, but what stands out most is his toughness; he’s as tough as nails, both in his approach and his physicality. If I’m one of the top college programs, I’m only spending top NIL dollars on high school players who can make an immediate impact, and Howard fits that mold. If I’m going to battle, I want him on my side.
Deron Rippey Jr. | Blair Academy (Brooklyn, New York)
Height/Position: 6'1", Guard
Notes: From an NBA lens, 6’1” guards aren’t typically the hottest commodities these days, mainly due to defensive limitations. However, there are always exceptions, and Deron Rippey Jr. might be one of them. His presence, poise, toughness, and feel as a primary ball handler and creator continue to improve, and he’s the kind of player capable of consistently impacting winning.
JJ Andrews | Little Rock Christian Academy (Little Rock, Arkansas)
Height/Position: 6'6", Forward
Notes: It’s hard to believe JJ Andrews is just 17 years old; he already has prototypical physical tools. He’s big, strong, long, athletic, and explosive, powerful in every sense. While his standout traits are physical, he also shows an impressive overall offensive skill set for a player of his size and build, and his potential as a switchable defender is very high.
Class of 2027
Bruce Branch III | Prolific Prep (Gilbert, Arizona)
Height/Position: 6'5", Guard/Forward
Notes: I had heard from some grassroots scouts that Branch had been up and down throughout various events this past summer. However, there were zero signs of struggle in Colorado Springs. I thought he was terrific. At first glance, he looks the part of a star: long, athletic, with huge hands, and offensively, he’s silky smooth. There were stretches where he created his own shot in tight spaces, pullups, fadeaways, you name it, and he rarely hit anything but the net. He showed glimpses of players like Jayson Tatum and Devin Booker. His long-term potential is sky high.
Malachi Jordan | Dream City Christian School (White House, Tennessee)
Height/Position: 6'7", Guard/Forward
Notes: With positional size, a strong and powerful frame, elite vertical athleticism, and a skill set that includes ball-handling, creation ability, strong finishing around the rim, and three-level scoring, Malachi Jordan checks a lot of boxes. He also has the tools to become a high-level, switchable defender. He’s already rated highly on various high school scouting platforms, but I think he’s poised to skyrocket. From a long-term NBA projection standpoint, I believe he has star potential. I’m excited to see how the next few years unfold for him.
Marcus Spears Jr. | Dynamic Prep (Plano, Texas)
Height/Position: 6'7", Forward
Notes: With terrific length and athleticism, Marcus Spears Jr. has some things you just can’t teach, giving him real upside. Like most players at this stage, he needs to get stronger. He also needs to continue developing his overall offensive skill set, particularly on the perimeter. While there are still areas of his game that need refining, his long-term potential is high, largely due to his size, mobility, and explosiveness.
Nasir Anderson | Prolific Prep (Savannah, Georgia)
Height/Position: 6'3", Guard
Notes: At 6’3”, Nasir Anderson is an absolute physical force. He’s built like a tank, a true bully guard who excels when he gets downhill. Considering he’s only 16 years old, it’s almost funny to project what he’ll be like in his 20s. I’d like to see him continue developing his outside shot, but I can see him punishing opposing guards for years to come. He’s a terrific young player.
Cayden Daughtry | Calvary Christian Academy (Lake Worth, Florida)
Height/Position: 5'11", Guard
Notes: He’s only 5’11”, which isn’t ideal for his long-term draft projection, but he’s just 16, so there’s still time for him to grow. Regardless, this kid can flat-out hoop. He’s very skilled, handles it, shoots it, makes plays, the whole shebang. His presence on the floor and toughness really stand out. I’m a big fan of Daughtry’s. If I were a college coach, I’d be knocking his door down. From an NBA perspective, he’s the kind of kid I’d be hesitant to bet against.
Isaiah Hill | Pike High School (Indianapolis, Indiana)
Height/Position: 6'10", Center
Notes: He possesses terrific length and athleticism, giving him the potential to be a mobile big man who can provide valuable rim protection and rim-running ability, while also teasing with raw but promising offensive skills. All of this warrants excitement about his long-term potential. He’s already doing some good things on the court, but I think Isaiah Hill is just scratching the surface of what he can become. If he can get stronger and continue improving overall, he has a chance to become a very good player long term.
Class of 2028
AJ Williams | Eagles Landing Christian Academy (Stockbridge, Georgia)
Height/Position: 6'5", Guard/Forward
Notes: A big wing who does a little bit of everything. He’s very well-rounded, and it’s easy to see why he’s rated so highly.
Erick Dampier Jr. | Madison-Ridgeland Academy (Ridgeland, Mississippi)
Height/Position: 6'10", Center
Notes: A brute big man who’s a physical force around the rim and on the glass. His coordination, foot speed, and budding offensive skill set look promising enough to help him avoid the typical “throwback big” categorization.
Mason Collins | Madison-Ridgeland Academy (Ridgeland, Mississippi)
Height/Position: 6'6", Guard/Forward
Notes: At 6’6” with a sturdy build, Mason Collins, the son of former NBA player Mardy Collins, shows impressive versatility and well-roundedness.
Donavin Okath | Bartlett High School (Cordova, Tennessee)
Height/Position: 6'6", Forward
Notes: A very athletic wing who shows a lot of potential as a slasher and defender, along with signs of developing into a capable outside shooter.
Final Thoughts
The USA Basketball Junior National Team Minicamp once again proved why it’s one of the most valuable evaluation settings in the high school basketball landscape. Each year, it brings together many of the nation’s top young players to compete, develop, and showcase their games in a high-level setting. This year’s group displayed a lot of talent that should have college coaches and NBA scouts paying close attention.
While I highlighted some of the prospects from the classes of 2026 through 2028, USA Basketball also brought in a handful of talented 2029 prospects, including King Bacot, Will Conroy Jr., JJ Crawford, RJ Evans, and Cayden Gaskins. Each showed promise and will be players to monitor as they continue to develop in the years ahead.
Overall, this weekend reinforced that the future of American basketball is in great hands. The talent pipeline is as strong as ever, and it will be exciting to track how these players progress over the next several seasons.
All photos courtesy of USA Basketball.